Sentience

11

Belle looked truly confused, not even a word could be registered in her head. Not only did she try to understand why Changmin's request could be formed ever so abruptly, but she also thought about how being a model for his photography project could help Mother.

"I don't understand," she let out an airy chuckle, not to offend the boy across from her. "How can I be helpful in this matter?"

Changmin unknowingly smiled. It might sound crazy but he loved it when Belle was questioning. It proved that she wanted to understand the situation deeper. That way, she could arrange her own strategy.

But, in this matter, there was no such a thing. No strategy is needed! Changmin screamed in his head, eagerly wanting to scream it out of his lips if only they weren't standing like a statue in the middle of the hall.

There was something about Ji Changmin and his excitement. Once the dopamine spreads all over his body, he might not be able to control himself. He might stomp his feet and punch the air and there was a high possibility that a dolphin scream would echo. His friends had witnessed that so many times.

However, to be seen as a cool man had never been his plan but he would automatically be under control when he was with Belle. It almost seemed like the girl had a superpower. To make someone stay silent.

"Because it fits the theme?" He answered her with a return of another question. He was unsure either. Changmin then saw the confusion darkening over her head, so, he beckoned her to walk while he explained. "I was thinking of having the concept of the past in the future."

"Huh?"

Changmin laughed again. He totally understood the confusion. He had the same reaction as well when he first joined the photography club. He struggled to understand the concept and how the pictures should be taken, and someone from the club, a senior, was helping him a lot. However, he did not get the chance to repay the kindness.

"You know, the pictures Mother had of Anne were all old films. While the aesthetic attracts, the quality is a bit..." Changmin pondered to find the words that wouldn't sound offensive but failed to do so. Since Belle seemed to understand, so, he continued, "Mother is worried if one day the photos rot and she will not be able to see Anne again."

At that, Belle found her heart wrenched too. Her breath suddenly hitched, stuffing her chest so much. For some sort of untold reason, she seemed to be able to dive into Mother's heart; she could tell what kind of pain the woman would suffer.

She must have been too engrossed in her emotions; she must have been imagining too much. Because then, Changmin's face fell as well when she stared into space.

So, he snapped her back to reality with a continuation.

"Unfortunately, we will not be able to fix the old photos but we can recreate them, right?" Changmin slightly pondered, looking for her eyes that seemed to be full of understanding now. "Belle, you can pretend to be her daughter right?"

Swiftly, the smile on the girl's face was outstretched. I knew it! Changmin threw some victory punches; in his head, knowing best that he had won. He had succeeded in earning Belle's agreement.

"If that will help to ease her longing, I don't see any reason to refuse," she said, already imagining things.

"I knew you would agree. That's why I've submitted my proposal to the professor earlier."

Belle dramatically gasped; one palm on the chest, and her jaw slightly dropped. "That means, right now, you are pushing me to agree!"

"Maybe I am..."

"How dare you!"

*

Chanhee had never agreed with Changmin despite being his best friend. He had never agreed when it came to his friend's sentience. Which, had led to a confrontation when they reunited in the photography club, choosing a camera.

It was started when Changmin told the latter that he would be taking the film camera. The one that had always been Chanhee's first choice. But, Chanhee had decided to try something new as he chose nature for this project which meant that he would not be using the said device.

It escalated to the pretty boy confronted which would be the reason why Changmin would've bitten just anyone who messed up with his choice. And that was how Chanhee found out what Changmin's plan was.

"It's not too late to resubmit your proposal," was what he told Changmin with a straight face and his friend returned a horrific expression next.

"Explain yourself, please," the long-neck boy retaliated while he leaned at the side of the long table, giving Chanhee space to rethink his choice of words. Because in Ji Changmin's head, his decision was not a sin, but his friend's opposition was.

Noticing the tension built, Chanhee, surprisingly wasn't scared. Why should he anyway? Because Chanhee, on the other side, simply thought that he was the correct one.

The same thought in two different bodies.

"I don't think you should mix up your personal with studies," Chanhee strode closer to him. "If you want Belle to help you out, then do it. Belle is photogenic enough to stand alone in your photos, you don't need the aunty or whoever it is to interfere as well."

Belle is photogenic. He absolutely agreed with that; Arabelle was truly photogenic, even in a candid shot.

But...

Interfere? Changmin didn't think he could condone such a word.

But, he did not want to argue. Neither did he want to get into a fight with his best friend over this petty thing. Changmin was still loving his friendship.

Because of that, he just let out a sigh as he straightened his posture, reaching for the film camera before announcing his leaving. Of course, that had enraged Chanhee so much. He, too, loved this friendship, and so he did not want Changmin to get into trouble one day.

"Ji Changmin," the pretty boy called out just when Changmin held the door knob. "I'm sorry if I'm offending you but I hope you will think about what I said wisely. I care about you."

The boy at the door glanced over his shoulder, catching Chanhee's sad eyes reaching for him. "Don't you think that when you care, you're supposed to support whatever I'm doing?"

Chanhee sighed. "I will. For you and the rest of our friends. Even if you ask me to support Belle, I will. I admit that your intention is pure but sometimes, you have to know that person well before you help. How well will you be sure that she's harmless?"

Changmin scoffed, he then spun on his heels. "She's only an old woman, Chanhee. Someone who is my mom's age. You are being ridiculous."

Up until this point, Chanhee knew Changmin would burst and when he did, things wouldn't be pretty. But, he would never let himself lose in an argument. Almost all the time, Chanhee would be whining; he would confront them until he was proven right. But, right now, he did not mind announcing his defeat.

For, he knew, one day, when Changmin finally realized that he was correct, the latter would need him to come back.